The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), Program Manager Training Devices (PM TRADE), Product Manager for Ground Combat Tactical Trainers (PM GCTT) is contemplating a new acquisition for an upgrade to the VCTS.Currently, VCTS includes Medium Mine Protected Vehicle (MMPV), Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV), Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection (VMMD), and Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS). VCTS is fielded to 28 training installations and operational units. VCTS provides training in critical operator or crew tasks that can be repetitively trained in a simulator and that are time consuming, resource constrained or too dangerous to conduct on actual equipment.This upgrade is expected to improve VCTS in all areas of operation and training of the vehicles, increase clearance operations capabilities, and improve realism.

The upgrade should utilize current and emerging technologies to provide the required training capability.This RFI solicits industry’s feedback for this upgrade and procurement.

PEO STRI is currently developing its acquisition approach as well as the Period of Performance (POP) of the contract.This acquisition will require access to information classified as “Sensitive but Unclassified” or “For Official Use Only”.

Background:

VCTS provides clearance operations training for both individual and collective tasks up to the platoon level.VCTS enables training in critical operator and crew tasks that can be repetitively trained.The United States Army Engineer School (USAES) utilizes VCTS in its virtual training environment to support their three stage training strategy of crawl, walk, and run.The training scenarios are designed to match the specific tasks that progress from individual tasks to collective tasks and be capable of modification or editing by the simulator operator to remain current and relevant.The Clearance Company’s primary roles are detection and neutralization of explosive hazards along routes and within areas in support of Brigades to enable force application, focused logistics and protection.VCTS supports the Clearance Company Combined Arms Training Strategy (CATS) with Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) and reuse of common components like Synthetic Environment Core (SE Core) and One Semi-Automated Forces (One SAF).

VCTS uses five self-contained, mobile trailers containing two MPCV (Buffalo) virtual simulators (driver and co-driver positions) that can be reconfigured to MMPV (RG31 only), four VMMD (Husky) virtual simulators with Husky Mounted Detection System (HMDS) and Metal Detection Panels, four MMPV RG31 simulators (driver, commander, and gunner positions) that are reconfigurable to Panther variants, two additional MMPV simulators(driver and co-driver) that are reconfigurable to MPCV Buffalo (driver and commander), two MTRS (Talon IIIB) simulators, and four Instructor Operator Stations (IOS)/After Action Review (AAR).

See figure 1, attached to RFI posting.

The VCTS provides classroom instruction and a virtual simulator environment for training clearance operations. The vehicle simulators can be networked for collective clearance mission training or provide individual skill training. The VCTS includes over 125 pre-programmed scenarios and it also includes the capability to create scenarios to meet the current Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) as needed. The system can run multiple scenarios from the same IOS and incorporates communication between vehicles and with the IOS. The MPCV simulator incorporates the MPCV Arm Control Box, MPCV Arm Camera Control Box, Camera View Select Box, and the Air Digger. Four of the MMPV stations (reconfigurable between the RG31 and Panther) incorporates the M2 crew served weapon.Two additional MMPV simulators are reconfigurable to the MPCV Buffalo.The VMMD (Husky) simulator incorporates the Metal Detection and marking system capabilities and simulates the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) capabilities of the Husky Mounted Detection Systems (HMDS). The instructor can modify scenario conditions and events such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) explosions, weather conditions and malfunctions in real time, allowing flexibility in training. VCTS utilizes OneSAF to provide a common SAF and SE Core to provide terrain databases, common moving models, and Virtual DIS (VDIS) for system communications.Visualization is provided by the Fusion Image Generator with the Common Image Generator Interface (CIGI).The VCTS is fielded to Active, Reserve and National Guard units and can be relocated to support units at different locations.VCTS uses Interactive Multi-Media Instruction (IMI) with embedded Intelligent Tutoring Systems to aid Soldiers in performing their tasks.

Performance Objectives:

1.The objective is to upgrade each of the fielded 28 VCTS with the following new capabilities. These new capabilities will bring VCTS up to the new configuration.All capabilities shall be integrated/installed in the existing five trailers.

a.Add one Student Training Station (STS) for the Route Clearance and Interrogator System (RCIS) Type I (High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE)). A motion platform is required for the RCIS Type I STS.

b.Add one STS for the Mine Clearing Vehicle (MCV) M1271. A motion platform is required for the MCV STS.

c.High resolution and high fidelity dynamic terrain to support M1271 and HMEE training.

d.Provide capability for system to train night operations. The system shall be able to display night vision image generation at each STS to run night operations scenarios.

e.Add two STS for the Vehicle Optics Sensor System (VOSS). The VOSS is a subsystem of the MMPV.

f.Add three STS for the Remote Weapon System (RWS).The RWS is a subsystem of the MMPV.The three RWS will fire .50 caliber rounds.

Note: One .50 caliber gunner station in the current VCTS configuration (figure 1) will be remove for the new configuration. The new configuration will consist of only three gunner stations with OGPK, one MK19 and two .50 cal.

2.The upgraded capabilities shall fit and work within the space available of VCTS.

3.The upgraded capabilities shall be compatible with the VCTS, shall not degrade the performance of the system, and shall be easy to maintain.

4.The procurement will incorporate and maximize reuse of current Government Furnished Information (GFI) and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE).

5.Government Subject Matter Experts will provide support for the development, validation and verification of requirements for this effort.

6.Technical Publications:

a.Operator User Manual (digital and paper) IAW MIL-STD-40051-2 B

b.System Maintenance Manual (digital and paper) IAW MIL-STD-40051-2 B

c.Commercial of-the-Shelf (COTS) Manuals and Associated Lists

7.New Equipment Training (NET)

a.Operator and Instructor Training

i.Update Course Materials

ii.Conduct Training at each fielded location.

iii.Update Train-the-Trainer Course of Instruction

b.Maintenance Training Course

i.Update Course Materials

ii.Conduct Training at fielded locations

iii.Update Train-the-Trainer Course of Instruction

8.Basis of Issue (BOI). The VCTS has been fielded at the following locations. All locations will need to be upgraded to the new configuration/requirements.

a.Ft Bliss

b.Miramar

c.Korea

d.Ft Carson

e.Germany

f.Ft Bragg

g.Ft Leonard Wood (2 suites) (1 suite planned to be relocated to new home station)

Please provide detailed responses for each of the following questions:

1.Is it technically feasible to integrate your solution of the above requirements into the VCTS which has some COTS products that are proprietary?Proprietary items include the Fusion Image Generator, SimCreator, SimObserver, Sim Force Steering, radio communications software, and Nspire (for MTRS simulation).The Government cannot provide a complete software package for the proprietary products. Describe your design approach and technical data needed to integrate your solution into the VCTS.

2.What is your estimated lead time for the upgrade into VCTS?

3.What is your Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost for this upgrade and all associated deliverables?

4.The Government prefers an open architecture software design and reuse with the current VCTS.How would your firm provide a technical approach that meets the requirements and fielding?

5.Please describe how data rights associated with your developed software supports the requirement for this upgrade?

Also, please include the following information in your RFI submission:

The Government requests industry feedback to the following questions:

1. If you desire to be a subcontractor, please specify the areas you firm is interested in supporting.

2.Please identify potential subcontracting opportunities that exist and be as specific as possible.

3.If your firm is a small business under NAICS Code 333318, and you are interested in participating in this acquisition, please provide feedback to the following question:

a.If you intend to be a prime contractor, how do you plan to meet the requirements of FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting?

Disclaimer: In accordance with FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, (a)The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and Proposal Costs, of the FAR.(b)Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only.It shall not be used as a proposal.The Government may or may not issue a solicitation as a result of this announcement.There is no solicitation available at this time.